OPINION
While the majority of the Newcastle United fanbase have been calling for Mike Ashley’s head, Jamaal Lascelles has provided an alternative verdict on the club owner.
The United captain had some positive words to say about the Sports Direct tycoon after he signed his new contract at St James’ Park, so it would not come as a shock that some supporters were quick disagree with what he had to say.
https://twitter.com/GoalsOnSunday/status/1059050900679991296
Ex-Premier League ace and former player Shola Ameobi echoed Lascelles’ sentiments about Ashley on Sky Sports ‘Goals on Sunday‘, saying:
“I’d better watch what I say here. Obviously, captain Jamaal [Lascelles] signed a new contract and had some positive words to say about Mike Ashley.
“I think he’s probably got a little bit of flak from the Newcastle fans because of it but it’s important to know that when you’re talking about Mike Ashley, there’s Mike Ashley the person and Mike Ashley the businessman. Jamaal was quite rightly commenting on how he was as a person.”
Ameobi is spot on here – yes, Ashley has been unfair in the way he has not provided adequate funds for transfers as well as disrespecting manager Rafa Benitez, and fans are quite right to focus on that.
However, none of them know him as a person, so it is important not to be so fast to judge him outside of his businessman persona.
That is not defending how he conducts things at the club, but the supporters did not need to jump on Lascelles’ comments as quick as they did.
The owner has made himself a present figure in recent matches and training sessions, so it would be hard to fault the slight effort he has made to fix things on Tyneside.
Benitez and the players no doubt want to see Ashley supporting them in what they do, as it gives them the confidence to achieve good things and get results.
Ameobi has a valid point here about Lascelles’ remarks – however, it remains to be seen when Ashley will dig into his pockets and provide the funds the fans are looking for.
